To aid his team’s selection for the North London derby, Mikel Arteta may receive a significant squad boost from an injury return. We expect the Arsenal manager to be without Mikel Merino and Declan Rice for the North London Derby.
So as Arsenal travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Spanish tactician must be innovative in how he lines up his midfield to compete with their local rivals. Who will join Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey in the engine room to complete the midfield? Well, there are numerous options available for Mikel Arteta to choose from, including Ethan Nwaneri, Jorginho, Jurrien Timber, and Oleksander Zinchenko. And the most recent injury update just gives him another option.
Charles Watts reports that Gabriel Jesus is likely to resume training this international break, and if all goes well, he could potentially play against Tottenham.
Watts said, “On the Gabriel Jesus injury… I have been told there is hope that he could potentially be back after the international break. He is stepping up his recovery plan.
“I haven’t got a firm date though, I’ve not been told a firm date. When I was speaking at the game at the weekend to someone, they were saying the hope is he might be able to join in training at some point during the international break and could have a chance for Spurs.”
Given Jesus’s return, wouldn’t it make sense to move Havertz to LCM and utilise the Brazilian in attack?
Havertz at LCM may be the last thing Gooner wants, but without Rice and Merino, he could be the Gunner to provide the physicality the club needs to win the battle with Tottenham. With the confidence he’s amassed over the last few months, he could do a better job in midfield.
Sam P
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I won’t be surprised if he gets injured (again) during match warm-up
I’m glad that he’s recovering from his latest injury. Surely, though we’re coming to “make or break” time with him, aren’t we?
Jesus is the second highest paid player at Arsenal – £265k a week according to reports. He is a No. 9, an out and out striker, yet his goal tally in the EPL last season was 4 goals in 27 games (only 8 goals in 36 games in all competitions). So, even when fit his goal stats are pretty terrible, easily surpassed by some midfielders.
I know he does positive things when in the side, he’s also one of the so-called “leadership group” of players at Arsenal as well. However, Jesus is paid (a small fortune) primarily to put the ball into the opposition’s net – that’s the “cake” for a No. 9, the rest is the “icing” on it – and he has to be judged on that.
I really hope that he can take advantage of his return to fitness and show consistently now why Arsenal bought him from City. We’re expecting a lot (too much, possibly) from Havertz in this key 2024-25 season so will probably be relying upon Jesus at lot at some stage. If he can’t step up because of injury or scoring form, then a parting of the ways at some stage must be more likely.
Why Arsenal bought him from City was clearly seen before his WC injury. He’s had more than enough recovery time physically and mentally now imo if it’s ever going to be possible/happen.
I agree, but as you say that was then. It’s a five-year contract so Jesus now needs to show in this most important season that he’s recovered his earlier form.
He was never a particularly prolific EPL scorer – only getting into double figures three times since first arriving at City back in 2016-17 – so it’s unlikely he’ll move into the 20+ range. However, I think we’re entitled to expect double figures across a season though, as always with him, fitness allowing.
Can’t really count on Jesus for fitness or goals; probably get injured taking a deep breath.
Hopefully next Summer Sesko can join, and Jesus can be moved on. Nice guy by reports, but far too injury prone and goal shy to be productive for us.